Thread: Wellington region hunter survey

Originally Posted by prattpoint

I kayak the Rangitikei river from vinegar hill (directly opposite to a game preserve) to bulls every season and the preserve birds have only made it directly across the river and are a huge pest to the organic chicken farmer directly opposite eating out of his feed troughs in droves he lets anyone shoot them who is interested, Even on a pest license, They are so obviously not a wild pheasant and I don't shoot them. The rest of the river still holds the same moderate numbers of wild birds that were always there (I have checked every piece of riverbed available) If these birds can survive in the wild then why do they have to trap and kill hawks in such epic numbers? F&G is trying to promote getting birds in close to be killed cleanly and humanely and preserves openly advertise high flying shooting and I understand it takes 7-8 shots per bird on a drive , Why don't people put a 1000 deer in a small paddock and drive them with dogs towards awaiting guns that might be popular too

I've politely asked the chicken farmer a couple times for access to the river (not even to shoot on his place), he must like you cause he don't' give access to anyone who is interested as you say.

Rathmoy is a great asset to the region, although I have no interest in shooting there the benefit in bird numbers is massive, should be more preserves I say

Well get in a kayak and start paddling, try not to fall out though its a bloody cold river as I found out. I seen over 50 birds in under 30 minutes on the last day of the season in 2012 on the riverbed directly behind the chicken farm had a look into his paddocks and there was pheasants eating out of his chicken feed troughs. took me 8 hours to get to onepuhi road and I seen no pheasant hunters just one fisherman. try it and see for yourself. Some awesome spots in-between.